Indulge in the exquisite flavors of this caramelized onion and blue cheese-smothered filet mignon recipe, a dish that elevates your dining experience to new heights. Perfect for a special occasion or an elegant dinner party, this recipe combines succulent filet mignon with the rich flavors of caramelized onions and creamy blue cheese sauce. With a simple cast iron pan and a few key ingredients, you can create a culinary masterpiece that will leave your guests craving for more.
Filet mignon is already a top-tier cut of beef, and when paired with rich blue cheese and sweetly caramelized onions, it’s taken to an entirely new level. Here are some key points and tips about this luxurious dish:
Key Features:
- Quality Ingredients: Given that filet mignon is a more expensive cut, you’ll want to make sure the other ingredients are top-notch, too. Opt for quality blue cheese and fresh herbs.
- One-Pan Wonder: One of the highlights of this recipe is that everything is cooked in one pan, making clean-up easier—definitely a plus for hosting a dinner party.
- Versatility: The recipe allows you to add extra steaks if needed and even has a plan for leftovers, which can be served over a salad the next day.
- Nutritional Consideration: While undoubtedly delicious, it’s worth noting that this is a high-calorie, high-fat dish. So it’s more of a “once in a while” or special occasion dish rather than something you’d want to eat regularly.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices bacon, roughly chopped
- 3 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 4 (8-ounce) filet mignons
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces blue cheese crumbles
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Optional: fresh rosemary or thyme
Directions:
- Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat and sauté the chopped bacon until browned and crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the grease behind.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet with the bacon grease over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until extremely soft and caramelized, stirring frequently to prevent burning. This should take about 25 minutes.
- Add the cooked bacon back into the pan with the caramelized onions to reheat. Then, remove both the bacon and onions from the pan and set them aside.
- Season the filet mignons with salt and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
- Heat the same cast iron pan over high heat until it’s smoking. Reduce the heat to medium and immediately add the seasoned filets to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes on each side, ensuring not to move the steaks during the initial 5-minute sear.
- Remove the filet mignons from the pan and let them rest on a plate covered with a foil tent.
- In the same pan, add the remaining butter and minced garlic over low heat. Cook until fragrant, around 1 minute.
- Pour in the heavy cream, blue cheese crumbles, Worcestershire sauce, and the rest of the black pepper. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a low rolling boil. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Place the seared filets back into the pan along with the optional herbs if desired. Add the caramelized onions and bacon. Alternatively, you can plate the filets, ladle the sauce over them, and top with the onions and bacon.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 1,121
- Total Fat: 93.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 47.2 g
- Trans Fat: 1.2 g
- Cholesterol: 330.5 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 11.2 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.6 g
- Total Sugars: 5.7 g
- Sodium: 1,047.3 mg
- Protein: 58.0 g
Tips:
- Searing the Steak: The high initial heat for searing the steak helps develop a flavorful crust. Follow the timing guidelines carefully to achieve your preferred level of doneness.
- Resting the Meat: Don’t skip the step where the steak rests under a foil tent. This helps to redistribute the juices within the meat, making it more tender and juicy.
- Sauce: The blue cheese sauce thickens up after a few minutes of boiling. Don’t rush this step; let the flavors meld together.
- Optional Herbs: While the herbs are optional, adding fresh rosemary or thyme can bring another layer of flavor that complements the richness of the meat and cheese.
- Sides: The dish is rich, so consider balancing it with a light salad or steamed vegetables. However, if you’re going for full indulgence, mashed potatoes or French fries would pair well.
- Leftovers: If you have any, the steak would be delicious when sliced thinly over a salad, as per Leah Maroney’s suggestion.
Indulge in this sumptuous dish and let the combination of tender filet mignon, caramelized onions, and velvety blue cheese sauce transport you to a world of gourmet delight. Whether enjoyed as the centerpiece of an intimate dinner or showcased at an extravagant gathering, this recipe is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
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